Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the author and are not representative of the Soshified community as a whole.
To say the least, it’s clear that Girls’ Generation didn’t release a song that’s like every other song. There was no girl group before Girls’ Generation with such bitter controversy over one song. Controversies girl groups get caught up in are usually over “suggestive” things: suggestive dancing or outfits that expose too much skin. However, people are talking not about their choreography or outfits, but about Girls’ Generation’s song.
What kind of song is “I Got A Boy” to have people divided into either “liking” or “hating” it?
It’s not a song that you can’t listen to. There are already a lot of girl group songs that you can’t bear to listen to, that sound similar and have a similar feel, and they keep coming out. However, “I Got A Boy” is never a song that’s on the same level as those other songs. If it were something you can’t bear to listen to, it probably wouldn’t have become such a controversy because nobody would listen to it.
“I Got A Boy”, first of all, is unfamiliar. “Strange” may even be a better, more accurate expression. The changes in the song are frequent, and it’s not a pattern change that people are used to hearing in their ears. It’s difficult trying to predict that pattern as well. This song is clearly different from Girls’ Generation’s usual songs, and so people initially are repulsed by the song.
Also, when you place the image of “a girl group doing hip-hop” up front, it adds on to the repulsion. People laughed and passed over Girls’ Generation members rapping awkwardly on variety shows and going “Ayo”, but people become stern when the girls earnestly begin placing “Ayo GG” in a song when they say they plan on doing hip-hop. (translator’s note: the girls won’t take it seriously, because they joked about it using the same phrase) It makes people think, “Let’s see just how good you are.” It’s similar to the repulsion and stern feeling people get when male idols say they’re going to do rock music. But honestly, the introduction rap in “I Got A Boy” is awkward. It doesn’t give off a professional vibe.
However, putting this repulsion aside, you can only feel the true charm of “I Got A Boy” by continuing to listen to it. It’s an appeal that remains once the initial repulsion thins out.
“I Got A Boy” is largely composed of two parts. The loose and speedy rhythms of the two parts differ greatly. While it seems different, it also seems similar somehow. This is because after clearly contrasting the two parts, they skillfully mix the two at the end of the song. The sense of awareness of this difference is somewhat addictive.
As soon as the introduction rap ends, they quickly present the hook of the first part. The change into the hook of the second part, which is a lot faster, is made clear by saying, “Ayo! Stop! Let me put it down another way.” Because they pour it all together without any gaps after that line, the change of speed feels extreme.
Tiffany’s part, which starts with “I’m so angry I could die”, suddenly erases the electronic sounds that created the fast rhythm. Unlike the first half of the song, where chattering voices could be heard, it captures the listener’s attention with particularly deep vocals, switching up the mood. They then say, “Don’t stop! Let’s bring it back to 140”, increase the speed once again, and they reach the last part, where they combine the two hooks, not giving you the time to catch your breath. The four minutes and 30 seconds are precisely filled up so it’s not boring, and the song livens up a lot more when you listen to it while watching Girls’ Generation’s choreography on music programs.
In the end, if you want to understand the fun of “I Got A Boy”, you need to have a fairly good understanding of the outline of change. The problem is that you can only see that outline when you continuously listen to it. As mentioned before, because of the repulsion of “girl group hip-hop”, it’s not easy to enjoy it repeatedly.
However, you don’t have to judge “I Got A Boy” while hanging onto “hip-hop” so much. Aside from the rap in the intro, it’s not a song that is classified as hip-hop, so you shouldn’t expect them to sing a hip-hop song well. It’s also a well-made song that’s worth listening to repeatedly. Also, if you think about why Girls’ Generation sang this song, there is a fairly important reason.
This meaning is that, through Girls’ Generation’s selection of “I Got A Boy”, they’ve broken away from limitations and the currently existing road of girl groups. This movement was seen to a certain extent through “The Boys”, and you can say that they’ve completely entered a new path with “I Got A Boy”. They’ve entered a path that will allow Girls’ Generation to be maintained for a longer time without regressing.
Before this, Girls’ Generation’s weakness was clear. A finite “girl” image. As the members get older and the farther they get from their debut year, the image will become one that they can’t put forth, and the “girl” image is bound to disappear little by little as time goes by. This isn’t a problem that applies to just Girls’ Generation, but to all girl groups.
And so this is why most girl groups seek the method of switching from an “innocent” image to a “mature” one. However, “sexy” is mistakenly used to show a “mature” image, creating a paradoxical “sexy girl group” image that people turn away from. Even fans are starting to leave newly debuted girl groups with “innocent” images, and many girl groups have been forgotten and have disappeared.
Girls’ Generation and SM Entertainment probably were aware of this girl group life cycle. And so they probably didn’t go for “sexy”, but true “maturity”, and not for their image, but “musical maturity”.
I think you can define Girls’ Generation and the new path they discovered as becoming “musically mature” and “a girl group that leads K-Pop”. The meaning of “The Boys” was that they would be separating from stale, fed up girl group-esque music. The maxi-single they released, carrying a remix of “The Boys” with lots of electronic sounds, showed their will regarding musical change. Of course, people’s reactions towards “The Boys” was not that good either. It wasn’t as bad as “I Got A Boy” now, but there were still complaints of “Why did they release a song like this?”
Still, receiving a refreshing shock with songs like “The Boys” or “I Got A Boy” is a lot better than being shocked seeing Girls’ Generation doing “spread legs dancing” while wearing disconcerting miniskirts. I would think Girls’ Generation fans should be thankful that a sexy Girls’ Generation didn’t appear.
While there are some people who suggest that they should be singing another “Gee”-like song, it’s not like a “Gee” 2.0 syndrome is something that you can just throw together. Not only that, but looking at “Hoot” or “Oh!”, it’s been proven that it’s not easy reproducing another “Gee”.
No matter how much people say about this and that over “I Got A Boy”, Girls’ Generation is already going on their way. They’re going down a road that other girl groups couldn’t even think of, singing, “you’re such a show-off”.
Disclaimer: Views expressed are solely those of the author and are not representative of the Soshified community as a whole.
Source: My Daily via Daum
Translated by: ch0sshi@soshified
Edited by: moonrise31@soshified, taengsoshi@soshified, MoonSoshi9@soshified
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Very thorough and in depth review. I like how it touched all of the issues people seem to have with the song. The whole “venturing into uncharted territory” aspect of the song musically is something I’ve had in the back of mind after gradually taking a liking to it.
In regards to the author saying, “I would think Girls’ Generation fans should be thankful that a sexy Girls’ Generation didn’t appear.” a sexy SNSD DID in fact appear. Did he not see the teaser pictures of each girl for IGAB before it was released? ;D
good
What I find really brilliant on SM’s part is that they also released “Dancing Queen” at the same time. This is the fallback for those fans that wanted something “Gee-esque” to listen to. They’re definitely talented artists, and they can do it all, so grats to them for breaking the box. ^^
I agree. By simultaneously releasing “Dancing Queen” SM gave the average SONE a security blanket to hold onto. At the time, “The Boys” represented different direction taken by SNSD, that I wasn’t sure about when it was first launched, but it grew on me and became one of my favorites. I have watched this one at least 20 times, the MV and the live performances, looking for the genius. I’ve always said the girls look great in it, with all the charm and grace they ever had. My criticism of only of the song. Thank you to fellow Soshified members for thoughtfully discussing our differing opinions in a civil atmosphere.
the review expresses the intense divide between
the fandom over this song…and the responses of
this article are a microcosm of that divide…but as
the reviewer said…and i have said many times…
the girls are maturing…their music is maturing…
it’s going to happen whether you like it or not…
and that is where the divide is…people who want
to hold onto girls when they are becoming woman
and those who embrace the evolution…it is the
most logical of transitions…but then again…a lot
of people are not logical…this is a sexy, complex,
and innovative song…all signs of a maturing group…
time will pass…people will change…i just hope
everyone eventually comes around to that unavoidable
fact…
At least we all know the 9 girls really and sincere appreciates their fans. SNSD Fighting! I Got A Boy Fighting!
I like the song I got a Boy is because the song has a meaning to it, as well as it is a song that actually make sense unlike most songs now adays they dunhav a story line or meaning just random lyrics putting together with the background music.. Snsd and SM.E is actually like doing Business, there are always risks involve. Snsd have the courage to try out new things to show that they are adaptable to changes. They have shown us fans that they really mature musically by changing the usual genre of songs that they sang in the past, shouldn’t we fans of them mature musically as well to support whenever kind of genre of songs they release in the future? However if you look at I Got A Boy as a song that imitates a real life conversation between girls, the song actually make a lot of sense in why the song keep changing in rhythm. If I Got A Boy is written to imitate conversation between girls it is common sense that all girls have different personalities and way to express their feelings, the changes in rhythm actually expresses the different feelings of the 9 girls. Snsd is a group that doesn’t follow a trend, they make their own trend. All of us wonder whether I Got A Boy will be a successful song or not? It’s still kinda early to say, we have to wait for the english version of the song that will be release in about mid year and we will know whether the song will create a new trend or it will be shot down. Our 9 girls have worked so hard on the song to try to repay all the love they recieved from us and also show us how much they mature, we as fans should mature as well in supporting I Got A Boy. Don’t judge the song just by listening it once, it is like judging a book by it’s cover, you never know what kind of content the song contains unless you keep listening to it and you might find it fun or interesting. Sorry I feel like I’m just blabbering..
” However, “sexy” is mistakenly used to show a “mature” image, creating a paradoxical “sexy girl group” image that people turn away from.”
APPLAUSE!!!
“Girls’ Generation and SM Entertainment probably were aware of this girl group life cycle. And so they probably didn’t go for “sexy”, but true “maturity”, and not for their image, but “musical maturity”.”
DOUBLE APPLAUSE!!!
i think we have to also keep in mind that Girl’s Generation’s popularity is partly from those people who like the member’s personality shown through media (i.e. variety shows, etc). Therefore, the type of music they produce, though clearly have a large impact on there populartiy/acceptance, won’t create a total disaster. A large portion of people will try to understand their experiment with new style of music.
But totally agree on the sexy point. thank goodness they didn’t go the sexy route.
Nice
great review, the best i’ve read so far .. it’s honest and realistic, and still managed to capture what IGAB is about !
There is another aspect that you need to keep in mind. People listened to and liked SNSD for what they were doing before, a big change to become “more mature” doesn’t always work. Look at Mariah Carey, she wanted to “expand her boundaries as an artist” and started to do things other than the power ballads that people loved her for and her sales and popularity went way down. You need to give people what they want to stay popular.
A Well-written article/review you can totally agree on the things that hementioned and i like how he points out how the Girl-Groups cycle works these days ..
But i think even if its not a Girls Generation song i think i would still listen to the song if i come across on it (my opinion) hehe ..
I LOVE THIS REVIEW ! THANK YOU LEE SEUNGROK ! :)
Nice review. Hit exact spot here and there. GG is musically mature, true. It’s such a risk to play song that’s unfamiliar to listen, change is pain, moreover change into strange/unfamiliar one, but GG still did it anyway. It shows that GG is bigger than before, they got succeed for this comeback. And couldn’t agree more with ‘I would think Girls’ Generation fans should be thankful that a sexy Girls’ Generation didn’t appear.’ It’s so much better that singers mark their existence by coming with more creative and brand new idea or even with strange song than mark it with their body. iGAB is something you can’t expect from other groups to come out with. It’s such breakthrough, hope people can accept it as well as the fans.
This! I always thought the same way, many girl groups these days using ‘sexy’ as a meaning of mature. It’s true i’m grateful SNSD didn’t do the same, in fact they produce more challenging songs. Even though IGAB is a mess but i haven’t feel bored to listen to it, usually i love ballad song more, but this time i think i’ve fallen to this song :D
There is nothing wrong with IGAB I LOVE IT TO DEATH
I don’t know why some SONE doesn’t like it. As Soshi once said they want to try all type of music, as well as me as a SONE want to see them perform all of type of music. The changing in image and song aren’t bad, but a great why to last longer, creating to life cycle for girl group, the most important is to mature trough music.
Some SONEs aren’t ready to changes.
i always thought IGAB is a great song. Different from what they had come out with in the past but this is a risk that few are able to pull off. The time is ripe for the girls to try out new stuff now or they risk stagnating.
There will always be critics, whether they play it safe or take a risk. I am glad they did though.
I totally agree with the writer’s opinion on how Girls’ Generation showed ‘maturity’. It hit the spot when it said that agencies & groups showed only maturity physically but the music remained the same. I’m proud how GG continued on doing what they are good at, leaving a mark on whatever they do.
Did anyone of you knew that Bohemian Rhapsody’s initial’s reactions and responses were poor? I didn’t until I searched the web.. :)
OutCasting_Grll said exactly what i want to say.
this song is not mistaken it’s a risk song,Girls Generation didn’t play safe anymore…it’s just like “if you want that part,you can’t play safe” thing…
i hope a lot netizens can see it…
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these kind of review or feedback are always good to read. because the authors do have a good sense of awareness musically. they know what they are talking about and its always hard to disagree with them especially when their insights and analysis were solidly backed up by facts. as a result, their opinion makes you think otherwise.
Definitely feels like a mature and almost totally objective review. The hate of the intro rap part was emphasised too much so it didn’t feel as if the review was totally objective, but definitely one of the more mature and positive ones out there.
When I first listened to the song, I felt that it wasn’t great because it was disjointed, but it’s exactly this disjointedness that makes it good to listen to. It’s not the type of typical song where it does Intro-chorus-verse-chorus etc, but it has a different sort of structure to it and style to it.
Anyways, the whole point is to signify their change and maturity. In my opinion, their goal to show maturity, change and something different was definitely a success. It’s a real shame that so many people can’t really see their change because they are so biased towards the “cute” and “innocent” girl groups.
Just because they are in hip-hop clothing, it doesn’t make it less mature. The style works with them well enough and the focus is the music they produce. And I think choosing hip-hop clothes as opposed to their regular uniform style outfits also represents a change. Like kids moving onto becoming teens and so on, they’ve reached that stage of rebellion and self discovery that allows them to better see themselves and reach a new and improved self. I’m sure each and every one of us will go through that change eventually. This change is what will allow them to transcend the other girl groups.
I really don’t see any problem with “I Got A Boy”. I rea~~~~lly love it very much. GIRLS’ GENERATION always tries to do new things, and do their best.
Why do people expect them to sing a Gee-like song, while all we know they will turn back if Soshi releases a song like that? People dislike the old, and also don’t like the new. So what can we do with them??
I think just need to give them time. People need time to receive a new thing. Just wait for a time and the general public will welcome it, when they realize what Soshi really tries to bring out. :)
SOSHI HWAITAENG!!!! :x
Mature image? Dressing our 20-something-year-old girls in junior-high hip-hop outfits with obscenities on hats is mature? I agree, the alternative method of aging-up the girls, with mini-skirts and suggestive moves would be equally, if not more horrible to the fan base. But that song, no matter how you slice it, is a mess. The only reason it is listenable at all is because SNSD is doing it. If any other girl group would have performed it nobody would listen past the first tempo change. We love the girls, so we’ll tolerate this mistake. Hope they learned the lesson at SM and don’t abuse us with this sort of thing again.
Your opinion is exactly what the author of this piece is addressing. Take a closer look at it and at the people around you: there are many SONEs who enjoy the song. That said, I’m glad to see that you love the girls and that you’ll tolerate what others consider a great addition to SNSD’s discography.
I actually agree with this writer; maybe it’s because I listen to many other types of music/pieces and am a Music Major that I think this way, but I found the song pretty amazing after connecting it to the translation and even more amazing after listening to it a few times more (to the extent that I started analyzing it unconsciously).
As another critic wrote (whichever US site it was) that it’s a “beautiful mess.” Meaning it’s a great song with transitions.
I’ll be honest and say that I’m not tolerating this song, but I LOVE it. And the song isn’t a mistake, it’s a risk. I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again, I’m glad SM and Girls’ Generation decided not to play safe and went with something different. I know they were anxious of the responses, but they still went for it. I find myself losing interest over those who rather “play it safe” and not explore to grow. I don’t want to listen to things that are similar because it’s good enough, I’d rather listen to something different that shows that you’re trying to strive for more and explore.
I had my friend listen to this (in case you want to know, she’s white and knows basically nothing about Kpop) and she said, I quote, that it’s “weird catchy.” She actually liked the song and I was surprised because my other friend had her listen to some other Kpop songs (I won’t mention which idol group), but she didn’t like them.
There are those that don’t like this song because it’s different, but like many great music writers back in the day (Mozart would be an example) when their music wasn’t initially accepted, it was loved in later generations and they are great figured in music now.
Whether you like it or not, whether it’s your type/feel or not, just know that there are lots of people out there that actually love this song and we are NOT tolerating it. We actually, really love it.
The writer, whom I trust is Korean, may have picked the wrong word to describe the girls’ image (mature).
A more apt description would be “not so mellow” as compared to Kissing You / Gee / Oh!.
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As for the song itself, I played the video for 3 of my non K-pop friends whom had positive comments and constructive criticism (mainly regarding the intermissions and tempo changes).
First guy works in a music production company, he worked with Stefanie Sun Yan Zi before.
The second guy is lead guitar in a local band, he writes his own music and his band will be releasing a self-produced album later this year.
The last one listens to alot of progressive music and he likes IGAB alot, potential SONE. :)
Personally, I don’t see how anyone has to “tolerate” the song.
If IGAB gives you a jarring headache on your first watch then chances are you don’t listen to music much, either that or your iPod only has generic top 40 hits.
Or it is just not your cup of tea.
This is *the* polarising song of the year: fantastic dance, a song that divulges something new at every listen and a video that probably required the sacrifice of a dozen colourful unicorns.
K-pop needed someone / something to destroy the box marked “conventional” and I couldn’t ask for anyone better.
Think of it as SM’s Fallout 3 / Skyrim / Nissan GTR Skyline / Suzuki Hayabusa 2007. First attempts are usually lacklustre. I’m waiting for IGAB version 2 already.
an excellent and local review. A small portion of the netizens and a majority of the haters blow off the foreign critics, citing that as they are not locals (Koreans) their opinions are not valid/relevant. Now, here is a simple and straight to the point review from a local source that is saying what other critics are saying. They are changing the field BIG TIME with this release and possibly how companies will train and market their girl groups in the future. GG is setting a precedence here, and I’m just happy to experience it, just like I experienced the Gee era~